Same and Different

In the Cardinals’ classroom, we feel very fortunate to have a wonderful mix of families representing different kinds of diversity. As teachers, the facilitators for learning, we feel a strong sense of responsibility for helping all children develop a positive sense of themselves, of their identity.  

Our approach to supporting the development of a healthy cultural or ethnic identity focuses on the notions of same and different. We talk about all the ways we are alike; same body parts, we all eat, sleep, have a family, etc. We also talk about the ways we are different, with a goal of making differences normal, natural and interesting. We talk about all the different kinds of hair in our classrooms, all the different colors of eyes. We convey the message that speaking two (or more) languages is a wonderful thing.

To guide this process, the Cardinals have been reading quite a few books. One of these books was Everyone Is Special and Unique by Regina Burch. In this rhyming picture book with illustrations of real children which children can relate to, the author teaches us about accepting others who may be different than you. We also read Bobbie Kalman’s book, How are we the same and different?

These books have helped the Cardinal family with extended conversations about the differences we each have, including our skin tone. Last week we read Katie Kissinger’s, All the Colors We Are.

Ms. Kissinger uses magnificent color photographs and simple, engaging language to capture the essence of one way we are special and different from one another, our skin color! She offers young children a simple, scientifically accurate explanation for how we get our skin color. “Understanding the human pigment melanin and how it works in our skin frees children from the myths and stereotypes associated with skin color.”

And, a dialogue commences about the scientific process that gives us all our skin color! Melanin is the pigment that gives us skin color and all human beings have melanin in their bodies.

This is a wonderful example of how our Literacy Program is interwoven into our curriculum in  a meaningful way. Reading books aloud provides opportunities for children to practice and develop listening and comprehension skills. Through thoughtful group discussions our children are becoming more comfortable with expressive language. Children are challenged to make inferences  and are learning to express their ideas in a logical manner. Love of books  and reading is always at the core of our entire curriculum.